March 9th, 2023 / 2 min read
Earlier last year, a trip to Milan proved to be more influential that Nina – Concept Me Founder – could have imagined. Walking around the beautiful architecture of the city she loved, Nina was accompanied by one of her favorite clients. As the designer and the client discussed different options, ideas and potential tastes, a build-up started in Nina. Little by little, she came to realize that years of compromising design choices, years of accepting what the client wants even though it was not the right design choice, years of having to negotiate what’s best for the space had finally taken a toll on her. The epiphany came in the form of, ‘If one of my favorite clients can put so much distress on my design process, then the problem is not the client – it’s the business model I’m operating within.’
And so, a chain reaction of Nina thoughts began taking place and when that happens the results are usually quite intriguing to keep an eye out for! As someone who’s been in the industry for over 15 years now, Nina’s need for unbound creative expression, her need to give the space exactly what it deserves and to tell its narrative in the right aesthetic, the right signature piece and the correct architectural theme was being held back by one common enemy: client’s aiming to go for the safe option.
Telling a creative that they should avoid whatever is bold and necessary to go for the safe choice is like killing a beautiful idea that could have blossomed into the correct space narrative. As someone who has finally realized that they had had way too many compromises in their jar, Nina decided to work on something new and that something new included an empowered form of creativity, taking decisions into her hands personally, being the lead on the project both executively and financially and finally taking complete and full control of her work, the effort she put into it and the design imprint she leaves across the places that have her touch.
While the inspiration for the change came from purely creative sensibilities, the solution lies in a highly functional and professional approach. Nina had finally taken the choice, by the time she had left Milan on that epiphany-filled trip, to begin the next step in her career as an architect and a designer. The business model she is preparing will involve more concrete design choices, full liberty of the work she draws up and executes and a broad range of clients that will come to see the vision of someone whose creativity is never to be doubted and toned down come to life.
The bold choice to continuously shift markets and change the business model set up comes from a highly sensitive attitude towards creative liberty. Many designers do not seem to be concerned or bothered by the limitation of creativity as long as they get to do their job. Nina was built different and so, as she takes Concept Me to the next level, the plan is design beautiful narrative spaces with no limitation and absolutely no safe choices – that’s both in business and in the design field: risks pay off!
January 2nd 2024
Bring a little of the Mediterranean into your interior spaces. Bring the outdoors indoors and give the space a warm, welcoming feel!
December 11th, 2023
Embrace the discussion on resilience, woven with experiences, motivation, and the unwavering spirit of the Concept Me team.
October 16th, 2023
How can we bring more sensitivity to the battlefield?
August 15th, 2023
Embrace self-assurance and dispense with the need for external validation.
June 15th, 2023
When the personal snuck into the business...
April 17th, 2023
When chasing stars leads to disillusionment.
January 27th, 2023
When the chaos of construction site turns into life lessons and personal development. Make peace with the battlefield.
October 26th, 2022
Taking the lead and assuming changes, for better or for worse. Read more about entrepreneurship and breaking the status quo !
October 7th, 2022
After two years that involved a global pandemic, it became clear that every business must capitalize on the creation of an adaptable work environment.
August 22nd, 2022
A short architect/designer story, with the twists and turns but a guaranteed happy ending !
August 14th, 2022
Sometimes architecture and design are also about deconstructing, sounds original right ? Get to know more about doing less !
July 24th 2022
The art of coming up with a boho interior is all about a comfortable vision, a laid back attitude and lots of plants. Discover more on that!
July 10th 2022
Bring a little of the Mediterranean into your interior spaces. Bring the outdoors indoors and give the space a warm, welcoming feel!
June 7th, 2022
What really is inspiration? From the artists that use muses to the poets who go years without - there's a constant search for it. At Concept Me, inspiration is in the art of conversation and in the environment of the space. Read on!
May 26th, 2022
It's natural to feel overwhelmed. Anyone in the corporate world has encountered the effects of burnout in the past couple of years. It's time to breathe a little.
April 25th, 2022
Furniture selection is actually a highly personal process. Your furniture should speak of function and personal aesthetics. Here's how you can perfect it!
April 10th, 2021
So, in the world of entrepreneurial survival, what keeps us going?
March 26th, 2022
Rejection can be a good thing sometimes. Saying no to the wrong clients is a definite plus - here's what Nina thinks of that kind of rejection. Read on!
March 21st, 2022
Eclectic design means a delicate but courageous blend of elements, statement pieces and color shades. Here's our take on how to perfect that eclectic look!
February 27th, 2022
From all nighters spent on designs and days spent in the historic campus of École d’Architecture de Paris-Malaquais, read on for Nina's experience as a student!
January 27th, 2022
In this current state, creative businesses seem to be functioning on shuffle on a rollercoaster track. Here's what Nina has to say on these crazy times...
December 24th, 2021
What exactly makes high-end homes high-end and how does Concept Me achieve those perfected results?
December 6th, 2021
Who said you can't be both a creative person and be part of the business world? That division is gone now - we are proof of it at Concept Me!
December 15th, 2021
La Maison Pierre Frey continues to lead the world of fabrics, wallpaper and upholstery with its wealth of heritage, innovative drive and eclectic motifs. Here's our story with them!
November 27th, 2021
Let's dig a little deeper into what makes a modern space modern and how to keep it minimal & sleek!
August 7th 2021
Extravagant architecture and elegant interiors do not happen overnight. The process of creating high end projects involves time, taste, knowledge & narrative.
August 10th 2021
Staring at an empty apartment can be confusing…we know. Read through this piece & do your apartment a favor by learning the basics!
August 17th, 2021
It’s not all pretty sketches and artistic renders. Architects have to roll up their sleeves, pick up the bricks (figuratively & literally) and get dusty!
August 24th, 2021
When the travel bans keep you away from the sun, the sand and the sea, you try to bring that summer soul to your homes. Here’s how.
September 1st, 2021
The project that started it all. If you’re curious as to how Concept Me came to be, check this piece out.